Linda Cheryl (White) Colello, a longtime resident of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, passed away on December 2, 2024, at the age of 78.

"Lyn" was born on April 9, 1946, in the City of New York, New York. She was the cherished only daughter of the late Ralph and Joyce White. Lyn was an inquisitive woman with a sense for adventure, a thirst for knowledge and always trying new things. Throughout her life, once she mastered something, her interests expanded into new hobbies, career fields or field of study. In her lifetime, she wore many different hats and accomplished many different feats and skills; such as: Equestrian, Floutist, Piccoloist, Poet, Commissioned Officer in the US Marine Corps, Poster Girl for USMC Recruitment Materials, Presidential Social Aide to President Nixon, Private Pilot earning her wings at 16 years of age, Accomplished Artist / Painter, High School Teacher (English & Drama), Farmer, Software Programmer / Developer, Dental Hygienist, Amateur Architect, Accomplished Sailor, Woodworker, Flyfisherman, and Religious Education Director. But to us, perhaps most importantly, she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

In 1964, Mom graduated with honors from Choctawhatchee High School in Florida, to attend Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where she received her bachelor's degree in English. During her academic career, she was Elected Student Senator and Speaker of the Student Senate. Lyn also played flute and piccolo for the marching band. Between her Junior and Senior years in the summer of 1967, she was selected for and attended the US Marine Corps' Women's Officer Candidate Course. After graduating college, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the USMC in May of 1968 and then completed training as an officer in Personnel Administration. She joined the Marine Corps at a time which the Corps was broadening its opportunities for women, and Lyn wanted to be a part of the expanding mission helping women continue to break barriers in a career that was still severely restricted to women. She proudly served in the USMC at a time when women represented less than 2% of its total force.

She was initially assigned to US Marine Corps Headquarters in Quantico, Virginia where she worked on special projects for the USMC; such as, officer training curriculum and designing modernized uniforms for female Marines. She was later assigned as a White House Social Aide to President Nixon. It was in this assignment, she caught the eye of two up and coming Italian-American men. Mario Andretti, the famed Formula 1 race car driver and Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Colello Jr., a suave US Army Helicopter pilot and Vietnam veteran. Feeling the heat, LTC Colello popped the big question to Lyn on September 21, 1971. According to a D.C. newspaper headlines titled, "White House Romance," LTC Colello asked her to marry him on the evening of the White House reception for famed Race Car Drivers, which Mario was attending.

At the time, there were strict rules of conduct for Military Social Aides in the White House; once married, Joe and Lyn were unable to continue to serve there, but did receive the presidential blessing and congratulatory praises from the administration. Lyn soon resigned her commission in the USMC but continued to serve her nation as a US Army Spouse. After resigning from the Marine Corps, Lyn accompanied her husband with their young daughter, Holly, who was born at Fort Bragg in November 1972. They soon moved overseas to Ismir, Turkey, where they lived for two years. The small family then returned stateside where Joe and Lyn welcomed their second daughter Carolyn Christine at Fort Leavenworth, KS on May 1975.

They desired to live off base and make a homestead.  Lyn and her beloved husband, "Joe", moved to Easton, Kansas, where they purchased 20 acres of picturesque farmland, which they lovingly named it "The 4-C Angus Ranch." It was here that they built their family home, raised their beautiful daughters, and created countless cherished memories on the farm raising livestock and farming the land; always sharing their bounty with all. She also taught high school English, drama, and creative writing classes for a decade at Pleasant Ridge High School in Easton, Kansas. During this time, Lyn earned her Master's Degree in Education, from The University of Kansas, in 1979. This cemented her love for the university and beloved mascot, the KU Jayhawk! In 1992, Lyn also wrote (as sole software programmer) and sold a 10-disk computer program called "Sign It" which was used to teach American Sign Language.

Throughout her life, Lyn's Catholic faith has been her brightest guiding light. Recently, she was the Director of Religious Education at Saint Rita Catholic Church, though she taught religious education throughout all stages of her life. Her favorite Bible verse was Mark 10:1-2, 13-15. "And there he left and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gather to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. .... And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.'"

Lyn leaves behind her most treasured earthly gifts—her family. She is survived by her two daughters: Holly Ann Colello of Pennsylvania and Carolyn Colello-Sittenauer, along with her husband COL Peter Sittenauer, US Army, of Alabama. She was also a proud grandmother to Sarah Christine Sittenauer and Kerri Elizabeth Sittenauer, both of Texas. Additionally, he is survived by his dear nieces and nephews, who held a special place in her heart. Lastly, her furry pride and joy, "Joey the Magnificent."

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Saint Rita Catholic Church; 22 St. Rita Lane, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459; with Military Honors by the United States Marine Corps at the Funeral.

In accordance with Lyn's wishes, her final resting place will be alongside her beloved husband COL (R) Joseph Colello, Jr. in the Barrancas National Cemetery at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made towards Saint Rita Catholic Church or via website https://saintritaparish.churchcenter.com/giving.